Samsung denies using a photo of Dua Lipa to promote its televisions. The South Korean giant asserts this in a legal document included in the file as part of the complaint filed against it in May. The star accuses the electronics firm of having used his image without his authorization, reveals the magazine “Rolling Stone”, and demands 15 million dollars in compensation.
In the document, Samsung’s legal team argues that the 31-year-old British singer does not have the standing to bring suit because “there is no indication that the plaintiff is promoting the televisions.” The firm explains that the images simply show the user interface of the televisions and illustrate the applications available.
Each party claims to hold the rights to the photo
However, a photo of Dua Lipa appears on the packaging of televisions that support Samsung TV Plus. An image of the singer is used to promote the free music television channel available on this streaming service. The photo was reportedly taken in 2024 backstage at the Austin City Limits Music festival.
According to Dua Lipa’s lawyers, the rights to the photo belong entirely to their client. They argue that Samsung has repeatedly refused to remove the image and continues to use it. For its part, the South Korean company claims that the photo was initially provided by a content partner and that it only used it after this partner ensured that it had obtained all the necessary rights.
Did Samsung react with arrogance?
In her complaint, the musician claims that Samsung reacted to her requests to stop using it in a “dismissive and indifferent” manner. She also mentions “Samsung’s arrogance”. Dua Lipa says she chooses “with the greatest care her commercial partnerships and has established herself as a high-end brand thanks to carefully selected sponsorship and promotion contracts.”
As part of this strategy, the singer never consented to the use of her image by Samsung, according to the complaint filed in California. Dua Lipa is notably the face of Yves Saint Laurent’s Libre perfume. She is also a global ambassador for Nespresso for the Vertuo World range.
